Shining Path - Have you ever heard of the Ford Shelby GR-1? It was understandable, if some of you answered 'NO.' Because maybe some of you more familiar with the Ford GT-series than this car. The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a conceptual sports car springs from a long line of Ford performance project cars and quickly establishes itself as one of the most contemporary and dramatic front-engine, two-seat, fastback supercars.
2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept car. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
It was first introduced to the public at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The GR-1 was created with the inspiration from the Shelby brand. It was inspired by and bears resemblance to the Shelby Daytona. The Shelby GR-1 concept's name pays tribute to both a performance great and "Group Racing."
Front three-quartered view of 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept car with all-doors openned. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
This uniquely emotional American sports car design represents Ford's continued desire to include a high-end, limited-production specialist supercar in its lineup. Initially unveiled as a design exercise at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, the Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is a sports car salute to "performance art."
Left side view of 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept car. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Much of the GR-1 chassis and running gear is based on the Ford Shelby Cobra Concept a modern version of the 1960s original Shelby Cobra, which was presented one year earlier at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. As with the Ford Shelby Cobra Concept, the GR-1 project was led by Manfred Rumpel and developed by Ford's Advanced Product Creation group.
Since much of the GR-1’s platform and suspension parts come from the GT, it would not cost too much to build such a car. The GR-1 uses a 6.4L all-aluminum V10 engine. The GR-1 is officially rated at 605 hp (451 kW) and 501 lb·ft (679 N·m) of torque. It uses a 6-speed manual transmission.
Interior view of 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept car. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
The Shelby GR-1 concept combines modern sculptured surfaces and a sleek muscular fastback design. All of the sophisticated mechanicals of this extraordinary coupe are wrapped in a sleek, muscular aluminum skin left bare and polished bright. The result is a forward-looking supercar with attention-grabbing Ford presence and Carroll Shelby inspiration.
The upward glide of the butterfly doors leads into the race-inspired interior that features seats with carbon shells and fixed backs. The carbon shells are connected directly to the sill and tunnel via lightweight aluminum spaceframe attachments and can be adjusted fore and aft by way of an accessible pull ring on the seat cushions’ leading edge. The seats incorporate removable Alcantara comfort inserts that are individually tailored to the occupant’s’ body type.
Rear three-quartered view of 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept car. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Interior cabin technology focuses on driver comfort, enjoyment and entertainment. The instrument panel sports a full complement of analog gauges, including a combination analog tachometer with floating watch-like elements and digital speedometer. The tachometer housing has integrated air registers and an additional Noise Reduction Technology output speaker.
Rear view of 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept car. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
The centrally mounted Tire IQ display is a sophisticated driver’s aid designed to inform, warn and even entertain. The Tire IQ system provides the driver and passenger with an animation of vital tire temperature and pressure statistics (via sensors in the tire), along with other key vehicle dynamics such as cornering G forces (via an onboard accelerometer), also controls the onboard stereo.
Did you know, it turns out that in 2019 there was a good news that this GR-1 would be produced. Reportedly, Superformance, a tuning company and maker of car replicas domiciled in California, revealed that in the near future it will produce the Ford Shelby GR-1. Here is the appearance of the Ford Shelby GR-1 production version;
Did you know, it turns out that in 2019 there was a good news that this GR-1 would be produced. Reportedly, Superformance, a tuning company and maker of car replicas domiciled in California, revealed that in the near future it will produce the Ford Shelby GR-1. Here is the appearance of the Ford Shelby GR-1 production version;
The company itself is known for making replicas of several Ford vehicles, such as the Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40 to the Shelby Cobra Daytona. So those of you who have long harbored a desire to own this GR-1 car can go straight to the Superperformance official site to find out more about it.. *** [EKA [31072016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERPERFPRMANCE | SUPERCARBLOG | SERIOUS WHEELS | SUPERCARS ]
